62 
nance on this occasion demonstrated that 
his mind was a perfect void respecting such 
opinions ; but after a few moments of 
reflection, he asked, if the Being I had 
described possessed a power sufficient to 
control the seas and the winds? I 
answered immediately in the affirmative. 
" Then," said he, " can you tell me his rea- 
" sons for suffering the tempest to throw 
you and your people on our coast?" I 
replied, that his reasons for so doing were 
above our comprehensions ; but that, as 
he was not only all powerful but just, we 
should remain satisfied that all his acts 
were good and beneficent. When this was 
explained to the chief, I observed a smile 
on his countenance ; but starting, as if a 
sudden and hostile thought had seized his 
mind, he desired to know " if my Almighty 
" could tame the wild animals of the de- 
" serts ?*' I replied, that he certainly could. 
If this be true," exclaimed the savage, 
" he must be a very wicked Being, for 
" he suffered a lion to kill and eat my 
" father." As I had obtained the informa. 
